Iw Rec Foes Can't Cut Down Kirk's Lumber

Hustle, Defense Propel 6-0 Squad To Lead In League

Kirk's Lumber has replaced the Big E as the No. 1 power in the Isle of Wight Rec Men's 30-and-Over Basketball League.

The Big E, which went 21-0 last season, did not return to the league this season. But Kirk's Lumber, a new team with some old faces, is proving just as tough to league opponents.

After last week's games, Kirk's was riding high with a 6-0 record. Closest behind came the Blazers at 5-2, then the Gatling Guns at 3-4, the Clippers at 2-4, Cowling's Restaurant at 2-5 and the Deacons at 2-5.

Kirk's is led by one of the best players in the league, Melvin Eley, who played for the Clippers last season.

``We're a new team this season,'' said coach Bill Whitley, ``but most of the guys have played in the league before.''

Whitley, his brother Brad and Rusty Rose are newcomers to the league. Rose is sponsoring the team.

Whitley, a 3-point specialist, formerly played for John Yeates High School and collegiately at Ferrum.

Eley scored 18 points Wednesday to lead Kirk's to a 38-27 victory over the pesky Deacons.

``Melvin is our best athlete; he can run the court, dunk, do everything,'' Whitley said.

Darrell Wiggins added nine points against the Deacons, who lost to Kirk's 42-31 earlier in the season.

Kirk's struggled to a 17-15 halftime lead before pulling away in the second half.

``We hadn't played in about three weeks because of the holidays and the weather, so we were a little rusty on offense,'' Whitley said.

Defense turned the tide in the second half for Kirk's. ``We picked up the intensity and played a box-and-one on one of the better players in the league.''

Whitley was talking about putting the clamps on Gene Major, who was held scoreless after scoring six points in the first half.

The Deacons managed only 12 points in the second half. They also had problems at the free-throw line, making only five of 12 attempts for the game.

Kirk's took advantage of its free-throw opportunities, especially in the second half as it cashed in on nine of 12 attempts.

Kirk's has had only one close call this season - its opener against Cowling's Restaurant. Kirk's escaped with a 36-33 victory against the former league champions.

``They gave us a test, but winning that game gave us a good indication of what type of season we might have,'' Whitley said. ``I think Cowling's is the best team we've played. They've got a lot of old veterans who play tough, fundamental basketball.''

Cowling's was 2-5 after last week's games, but that didn't change Whitley's opinion of the team.

``I can't believe their record; I think they've had problems getting all of their players there for games,'' he said.

Kirk's main winning ingredients have been hustle and defense.

Anthony Turner is the hustle leader at point guard.

Kirk's has firepower, and heading that department with Eley has been Berry Shelton, a dangerous shooter from the perimeter.

When it comes to the middle, 6-foot-4 Vic Wheeler has been a force.

The other starter is Wiggins, at a wing position.

``Overall, we're one of the youngest teams in the league, and one of the biggest,'' Whitley said.

In other league action last week, the Blazers gained control of second place by beating the Gatling Guns 44-39 and the Clippers 48-39.

Derek Stith scored 13 points and James Alexander eight to lead the Blazers past the Gatling Guns, who were headed by Chet Nowak with 11.